Stan Lee's Guardian Project has sparked a lawsuit from a Hollywood executive.

The former Marvel president's joint-venture with the National Hockey League has become the target of legal action from Adam Asherson, who claims he was frozen out of the venture, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Guardian Project, now co-owned by NBC Universal, sees NHL mascots transformed into superheroes. Asherson contends that he pitched the idea to fellow manager Anthony Chargin and client Jake Shapiro back in 2003.

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According to Asherson, the project began under the title of Defenders, and was originally to focus on the National Football League, with plans to expand to Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the NHL.

The idea never bore fruit, but Guardian Project surfaced six years ago helmed by Chargin, Shapiro and Lee.

Asherson alleges that Guardian Media Entertainment, SLG Entertainment, Chargin and Shapiro are in violation of an oral joint-venture agreement.